Archive for September, 2009

Supplies Needed for a Well Stocked Emergency Food Shelf.

Monday, September 7th, 2009

As I promised on my last blog, here is a list of quick, easy to prepare food items that every cook needs to keep on hand. These items can form the basis of emergency meals or quick and easy meals you have to prepare with short notice.

EMERGENCY MEAL FOOD ITEMS

Meats & Vegetables

Ham
Chicken (boned)

Prepared meat salads

Chicken & dumplings

Pressed meat ( Spam)

Potatoes(instant mashed, whole in a can)

Macaroni, noodles, & spaghetti

Tomatoes(whole pack, sauce, paste & puree)

Rice (brown, white, & instant)

Beans (lima, baked, string, & kidney)

Green Peas

Corn(whole kernel & cream)

Fruits, Fish, Bread mixes & Desserts

Fruit cocktail
Pear halves
Cherries
Applesauce

Salmon
Tuna fish
Lobster
Crab
Shrimp

Sardines

Oysters

Corn bread

Muffin mix

Cake mix

Puddings (instant and canned)

Pie crust mix & prepared pie crusts

Frosting mix

Cookie & Brownie mix

Miscellaneous

Pimentos
Olives

Nuts(walnuts. pecans, almonds)

Bread crumbs

Mushrooms

Spaghetti sauce

Gravy mixes

Milk (canned evaporated, instant)
Cream substitute
Mayonnaise
Salad dressing mixes

Lemon juice

Pickles

We could continue for hours adding to this list, but I suggest looking at it closely and add to or replace with

your favorite ones. This list will provide the items necessary to prepare several quick and easy meals that will feed 4-6 people on short notice or during an emergency( Like when your electricity has gone off).




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Special Hints for Quick & Easy Southern Cooking

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

This is a subject that is blogged about on a daily basis, I know because I read most of them. I decided I would talk about timely tips that would benefit the southern cook. Most of the blogs I’ve been reading gives you tips on how to save time in the kitchen. I am always looking for ways to prepare a meal in record time without forfeiting taste or flavor.

So is there a magical secret to carefree cooking? No, but these three elements play an important role in quick and easy food preparation.

1. Advance planning – know the foods you have on hand and how you plan to use them – you’ll save hours when you don’t have to go to the store and pick up a little of this and a little of that to prepare your meals – Keep an emergency shelf that is stocked with foods you can prepare in minutes, such as condensed, canned, or dried foods. (A list to follow)

2. Reliable recipes – for quick and easy foods

3. Tricks of the  homemakers trade – little tips , hints, and secrets passed on from one generation to another,  meant to save time in the kitchen.

SPECIAL HINTS

VEGETABLES

Cook fresh Asparagus -  your coffee maker, after removing the interior parts of maker. You will use less waterand the spears will not become bruised from rolling around.

Remember frozen vegetables – they cook in about 10 minutes and taste great with a touch of herbs and spices.

Add flavor enhancement – melt a little butter in bowl and mix in your favorite herbs, then pour over your vegetables. The butter will coat the vegetables and create a herb-flavored butter sauce.

MEATS

Freeze meat slices -Put meat slices or hamburger patties on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen, place in  plastic bags as they will not stick together.

Easy corned beef supper – Chill a  can of corned beef hash. Remove both ends from the can and push the meat out. Cut into rounds and place them under the broiler three inches from the heat for seven minutes. Turn and spread  each round with mild horseradish. Place a tomato slice and sprinkled cheese on each round. Place back in the  oven and broil an additional five minutes

Watch for an additional post on this subject later. When I return, I will give you the emergency products that make a well stocked shelf.  I will also throw in some more quick and easy recipes for meals.

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